Clue 3: Eyebrows.
Have you ever noticed someone lifting their eyebrows after making a statement, as if they’re silently asking you for agreement or admiration? This is the third facial clue to spotting a narcissist: their eyebrows. Narcissists often raise their eyebrows while nodding, using this subtle yet powerful nonverbal cue to draw others in and reinforce their inflated self-image. They often set you up to feel socially awkward or impolite if you don’t respond as expected, making it almost automatic to nod along or affirm their need for validation.
But there’s more to eyebrows and narcissism than just a raised brow here and there. In fact, there’s some fascinating research showing that you can actually identify a grandiose narcissist by their eyebrows. In a 2018 study, experts dug into how facial features contribute to perceptions of narcissism and found that eyebrows play a starring role. Their research actually showed that people could accurately identify narcissists based solely on the distinctiveness of their brows.
Suggested Book: Healing from Hidden Abuse: A Journey Through the Stages of Recovery from Psychological Abuse.
So does this mean that narcissists somehow grow different eyebrows? Or maybe they’ve figured out the power of a good brow game and invest extra time in making theirs stand out? Or perhaps it’s just a classic chicken-and-egg scenario where we’ve learned to associate certain eyebrow features with narcissism, and they, in turn, choose more defined eyebrows because of their narcissistic tendencies.
When you notice someone raising their eyebrows, it could be a subtle cue to elicit validation. To test for manipulation, use the non-compliance test. Instead of immediately affirming them, respond with a neutral statement like, “That’s an interesting perspective.” If they continue to seek validation or seem unsettled by your response, it might indicate that they’re trying to manipulate you by drawing you into their need for admiration. And if their eyebrows are very distinct—well-groomed and full—picture those brows as two little red flags above their eyes.
Remain neutral and steer the conversation in a different direction. For example, you might say something like, “Let’s discuss something else,” to keep control of the interaction and avoid feeding into their need for affirmation. Facial clues are only a small part of the puzzle. If you really want to be able to spot a narcissist, you need to know how they move. So click this article to learn the body language of a narcissist to understand the way they position themselves in any room and how they assert physical dominance. This will help you spot a narcissist early to make sure you’re always one step ahead.
Read More: 10 Lies All Narcissists Tell.
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